Building Air Conditioner Evaporator Condensation Management System

ABSTRACT

This invention is a new approach to managing water, in the form of condensation, produced by the air conditioning process. Components “A” and “B” are unique, seamless and are molded as shown in FIG.  1;  and to the best of this inventors knowledge (based on extensive searching) they do not exist anywhere.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention was originally filed as a Provisional Utility Patent on Sep. 29, 2011, and was assigned Application No. 61/540,810.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION

This invention pertains to residential and commercial air conditioning systems, and more specifically, the routing of condensation produced by the air conditioners evaporator component. This invention enables this condensation to be automatically re-routed to an alternate location in the event of a blockage, or to be recycled instead of routing to waste. It also prevents the entry of foreign matter (debris, insects, vermin, etc.) into the waste route which can result in a blockage, and it allows for the easy addition of mold controlling chemicals into the entire drainage route to waste, to prevent mold buildup.

This invention came about as a result of several condensation overflow conditions due to a blockage in the route to normal building waste, causing substantial water damage and raising the potential for the growth of mold. The recycling benefit was desired after experiencing a severe drought (2011—worst drought on record in the State of Texas, USA) during which vegetation needlessly died while air conditioning condensation produced by millions of air conditioning units routed to waste.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION

The OBJECT of this invention is to prevent water damage to the structure due to condensation overflow from the building's air conditioning system because of a blockage in the route to waste or recycle, to provide the option to recycle non-drinkable water for use in applications such as garden and lawn watering, toilet flushing etc., to secure the route to waste from foreign object entry, and to accommodate mold prevention treatment in the route to waste.

The first component of this invention replaces a small (14 inch section) of the existing condensation line to waste (normal route) with a unique length of PVC pipe containing the following components, starting with the connection to the air conditioner side: a 1 inch offset/step down, then a fill tube (for adding mold controlling chemicals) with removable cap extending 12 inches vertically, then a manual valve with waste or recycle positions and outlets to each, then a ½ inch offset/step down and step up, with the higher route automatically capturing condensation that cannot route to waste or recycle (due to a blockage in either route), with an outlet that can be connected to an alternate point.

The second component protects the route to waste from foreign object entry and it consists of a PVC pipe extending 12 inches above the existing waste/P-Trap route with a removable cap, and two connection points, one for connecting to the waste line between the first component of this invention and this component and the second for connecting to the existing building waste/P-trap. The removable cap accommodates inspection and cleanout if required.

The inside and outside diameters the PVC components for this invention can be made to vary in either inches or centimeters to accommodate most if not all standard and non-standard air conditioning systems and building waste connections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts the two components (A and B) of this invention, as well as the existing components to which this invention interfaces.

FIG. 2 depicts the claims of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION See Also FIG. 1

Component “A” in FIG. 1 above is defined in detail (starting with the connection to the air conditioner) as follows:

-   -   Component “A” is 14 inches in length and is made of molded PVC,         incorporating the various components (fill pipe, offsets,         control valve, etc.). For easy understanding component “A” shows         a pipe size of ¾ inch inside diameter, however component “A” can         be made to any size.     -   Component “A” is installed by removing 14 inches of existing         pipe that connects the air conditioning unit's evaporator         component/condensation output to building waste.     -   Connections to the air conditioning unit, and all other         connections, are made using PVC fittings (and glue where         appropriate), or rubber couplings with clamps, or         fitted/threaded PVC, or other pipe/hose connection components,         as required.     -   Two inches to the right of component “A's” connection to the air         conditioning unit is a 1 inch offset/step down. This step down         helps prevent mold controlling chemicals (which can be added to         the system via the 12 inch vertical fill pipe immediately to the         right of the step down) do not back up into the air conditioners         evaporation unit, but instead stay within the waste line.     -   The 12 inch fill tube immediately following the 1 inch         offset/step down is used to enter mold controlling chemicals if         desired. The screw on cap ensures that foreign objects do not         enter the system when access is not needed.     -   To the right of the fill tube is a short section of pipe which         connects to the “Condensation Waste/Recycle Control Valve”. When         the valve is turned to the down position, condensation follows         the path to waste and cannot follow the path to recycle. When         the valve is turned to the up position, condensation follows the         pull of gravity and routes to the recycle outlet. A hose or any         other form of pipe is connected to the recycle outlet and routed         to the exterior of the building, or any other desired location.         Should the recycle path become clogged, condensation will back         up into the valve area and then follow the path to waste,         automatically.     -   Following the waste/recycle control valve is a short length of         pipe which connects to two paths and incorporates a ½ inch         offset/step down and a ½ inch step up. This design ensures that         if the route to waste becomes clogged, condensation will back up         into the waste route until it reaches a level slightly higher         than the ½ inch step up. At that point condensation will route         via the automatic overflow protection outlet. A hose or any form         of pipe is connected to the overflow protection outlet and         routed to the exterior of the building, or any other desired         location.     -   The length of pipe for the automatic overflow route is shorter         (2 inches) than the length of pipe to waste so that         connectors/couplings/unions/etc can be attached to each without         interfering with each other.     -   Condensation blockage/backup note: the design of the 1 inch         offset/step down immediately to the right of the connection to         the air conditioner evaporator condensation outlet ensures that         the remaining components of component “A” remain sufficiently         lower than the air conditioner's evaporator output pipe,         ensuring that any blockage of condensation will not backup into         the evaporator unit, but will instead route via the automatic         overflow path.     -   Components “A” and “B” are connected by using a common PVC pipe         or hose connector (usually the remaining part of the original         pipe or hose that connected the air conditioner's evaporator         component to waste.)

Component “B” of FIG. 1 is a 12 inch vertical pipe sized to fit the existing route to waste, with an inlet connection sized to fit the connection of pipe or tubing from component “A”. The vertical portion of component “B” has a screw on removable cap, which is removed to inspect the flow of condensation, and as a cleanout access point if needed. The screw on cap ensures the route to waste is completely enclosed, blocking out foreign objects, insects, vermin, etc. 

1. This invention protects the structure from water and mold damage by automatically routing air conditioner condensation to an alternate route in the event the normal route (to waste or recycle) becomes blocked.
 2. This invention provides a recycle option, whereby air conditioner condensation can be routed to a rain barrel or other use instead of routing to waste.
 3. This invention facilitates the addition of mold fighting chemicals in the waste route (such as bleach) if desired, while preventing these chemicals from entering the air conditioner evaporator unit.
 4. This invention protects the route to waste from intrusion by foreign material, insects, vermin, etc by sealing the connection to building waste, as well as providing an inspection and cleanout point. 